Bill clasp



July 7 19, 1927.

A. W. STANDING BILL CLAS P Filed Feb. 5, 1927 Patented July 19, 1927.

AMOS w. 's'rANnrnGfor nousroiaurnxas.

. BILL CLASP} Application; filed February a, 19277.; Serial 'No..16e,65o.

invention relates to a clasp for paper currency and similar valuable papers;

It is an object ofthe invention to provide a clasp or clip of proper size and convenient shape adapted to be carried in the pocket of the user, and to hold bills and papers together.

Many men carry bills or in the pocket'of their trousers. The difficulty usually experienced by them is that the bills cannot be arranged conveniently and accessibly when rolled together, and, when folded, will not remain in proper folded shape, without some sort of clasp.

I contemplate the provision of a handy type of clasp which can be cheaply made and quickly assembled, and which is adapted to be conveniently carried in ones pocket.

Referring to the drawing for a proper understanding of my construction. Fig. 1 is a top plan view of one of the side plates of my clasp.

Figs. 2 and 3 illustrate a plan view and a; central section respectively of a pivot cap employed.

Fig. 4 is a view of the spring before it is bent for use.

Fig. 5 is a plan View of the assembled to clasp.

Fig. 6 is a side elevation thereof.

Fig. 7 is a transverse section on the plane 7-7 of Fig. 5.

Like numerals of reference are employed to designate like parts on the drawing.

In forming the side members of my clasp, plates of sheet metal of the desired thickness may be used. Blanks shaped as shown in Fig. 1 may be cut in the sheet metal, the forward side 1 of each plate being preferably rectangular. The rear side 2 is rounded and may be knurled or otherwise roughened at 3 to form a finger grip. Laterally extending ears 4 are formed at each side adjacent the grip portion 2, said ,ears being formed with openings 5 therein. Two blanks such as shown in Fig. 1 are formed to comprise the opposed halves of a clam shell type of clasp. The ears 4 on the secthe other.

Said ears are then bent inwardly so as to interfit and bring the openings 5 on the said ears into registration to receive a pivot member upon which the plates are hinged.

Ordinary eyelets may be employed as pivaper currency of different denominations in a roll or fold 0nd plate are slightly shorter than those on ots, but I prefer a cap-shaped member 6,

i shown somewhat enlarged in Figs. 2 and 3.

Thi cap is circular with its central area. curved laterally and of the size to fitwithin the openings 5,. as shown in Fig. 7..

The pivot caps are held in position, and

the forward sides of the jaw plates 1 are also held together by the action of a spring member 7. Said spring comprises a hoop of wire; with opposite laterally-curved arms 8 on two sides thereof, said arms being of the proper size and shape to fit within the recesses 9 of the caps.

hen the parts of the clasp are assembled,

the two side plates are interfitted to bring the openings 5 in the two plates into alignment. The pivot members 6 are then inserted into said openings from the inside. The spring hoop 7'is then bent along the line of the arms 8 so that the spring may be inserted between the rearward ends of said plates. The arms 8 are, then sprung into the recesses 9 of the pivot members. When thus inserted, theresiliency of the spring will hold the pivot members 6 in position and the spring will also bear against the rearward sidesof the plates to hold the forward or jaw in Fig. 6.

The length and shape of the forward jaws may be formed to suit the user and the amount or number of bills which are to be ordinarily carried, and it is to be noted that the clasp is flexible to a marked extent,

portions together, as indicated adapting it to engage large or small pack- 1 ages. 7 The clasp may be ornamented as desired. I have shown an initial formed on the side plate of the clasp, although manifestly this is no part of the invention.

scribed theclasp as particularly applicable for gripping bills together, it is adaptable to a wide variety of uses, and I do not wish Further, it is to be understood that, while I have deto be restricted to this particular use or to I the exact shape of the invention as shown.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. A' clasp comprising opposed plates; opposite inwardly-bent ears on said plates, with registering openings therein, intermediate the ends of said plates; cap-shaped pivot members inserted in said from the inner side; and a hoop-shaped spring having arms to fit within said pivot openings 6 siliently together at one end thereof.

lii

2. A clasp comprising opposed plates, each havlng a forward clamping end and a rearward operating end, ears formed on each plate to extend inwardly toward the opposing plate, said ears having openings therein, cap-shaped pivot members adapted to fit within said openings, and a spring formed of an endless hoop of wire adapted to hold said pivot members in operative position and also to force said operating ends of said plates apart.

3; A clasp comprising opposed plates, in-

wardly extending lateral ears at opposite sides of each plate, said ears having openings therein, pivot members adapted to fit within said openings and a spring fitting within said pivot members to hold them in position, and also bearing against said plates to hold the edges thereof at one end resiliently together in clamping osition.

4. A clasp comprising oppose plates having adjacent ends curved slightly inward to form gripping jaws, inwardly turned ears on said plates adapted to interfit, and a spring of hoop shape having arms co-acting with said ears to hold said plates pivotally together, said spring also bearing against said plates to hold said jaws resiliently together.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature this 4th day of February, A. D. 35

. AMOS W. STANDING. 

